That investigation was prompted by calls from people who told troopers that Mr. Watkins had been injured in an altercation, he said.

Investigation revealed that Mr. Watkins fell down outside the Turn-er Inn, Edwardsville, after drinking on Feb. 1, apparently causing a minor head injury, Mr. Tatro said. State police spoke to witnesses and found no evidence of a fight, he said.Mr. Watkins died Feb. 5 at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center, Ogdensburg. Mr. Tatro and St. Lawrence County Coroner James M. Sienkiewycz said Mr. Watkinss death was related to an unspecified medical condition, as revealed by an autopsy performed last week.

Mr. Watkins died of natural causes, Mr. Sienkiewycz said, although he declined to say what condition caused his death. Toxicology reports are pending, he said.

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